Perth&Surrounds

Broome&TheKimberley

Discovering areas of untouched wilderness such as stunning gorges, waterfalls cascading into inviting pools, beaches that stretch for miles on end (eighty miles in fact) is an everyday encounter in the North West.

Esperance&TheGoldenOutback

Exmouth&TheCoralCoast

The Ningaloo Reef is the only reef you can walk to. As the closest fringing reef to shore, getting up close to its teeming marine life is as easy as wading in from the beach for a snorkel at Exmouth or Coral Bay.

MargaretRiver&TheSouthWest

What’s Hot in Perth ThisWinter?

Temperatures might dip a little in winter, but Perth’s local wines, comfort foods and migrating humpback whales puts hibernation well and truly on the back burner. Here’s how to make the most of a winter break in the city.

Mild weather and plenty of sunshine means there’s no need to hibernate your way through winter in Western Australia. The state capital has plenty of bars and restaurants that come into their own this season, as well as activities that will help you get the most out of Perth’s stunning surrounds.

Raise a glass

Nothing says winter like sipping a delicious whiskey, and that’s exactly what’s on offer at Whipper Snapper’s onsite bar. At Australia’s first bourbon-style whiskey distillery, situated on the outskirts of the CBD, the team use local ingredients in copper pot stills before ageing the liquid in new American white oak casks. The result is Upshot – a rich, creamy whiskey with flavours of light butterscotch, caramel and nutmeg. And thanks to a collaboration with Perth-based roasters Five Senses Coffee, visitors can also wake up while they warm up with smooth Irish coffees that feature the roasters’ Crompton Road blend.

There may not be snow at The Aviary, but there’s plenty of Scandinavian style. Perth’s largest rooftop bar is the setting for pop-up igloos during the winter months, with guests snuggling under blankets as they take in the city’s sparkling skyline.

European beers come into their own in winter, and the Swan Valley’s Elmar’s in the Valley is the perfect spot to hold your own impromptu Oktoberfest. Just a 40-minute drive from Perth’s CBD, this microbrewery serves German-style beers in a range of sizes, from small tasters to one-litre steins. There’s suitably hearty food on offer too – think pork schnitzel and bratwurst with plenty of sauerkraut. Or for a hit of the Mediterranean close to the city, graze on sardines, seafood and bread at Brika, a few steps from the CBD in Highgate.

Feast on comfort food

Feasting is always on the agenda in Perth and lower temperatures are the perfect excuse for comfort food. That means pasta, which is served by the metre at Solo Pasta in the inner northern suburb of Mount Lawley. The Italian-inspired menu recommends three metres of pasta per dish but, if it’s a carb fest you’re after, then you can always order more. The pick-and-mix menu sees diners selecting their pasta flavour before choosing toppings and sauces. Swap spaghetti for noodles at Northbridge’s Lucky Chan’s Laundry + Noodle Bar, where spicy bowls of soup – like miso buttered chowder ramen featuring clams from Western Australia’s Shark Bay – will keep you fired up. If (fancy) burgers and (craft) beer are more your thing, Victoria Park’s Dutch Trading Co’s gourmet pub food and 26 taps raise the bar when it comes to the city’s craft beer scene. Need shelter from the rain? You’ll find it in the comfy chairs and comforting brunch dishes served at Sayers Sisters in Northbridge. With its communal table and wall of framed photos, it’s like walking into someone’s house – someone who serves everything from omelettes and tagines to waffles and brownies, that is.

Marvel at WA’s whales

Saying goodbye to summer means saying hello to whales, as the ‘humpback highway’ that passes Perth hits gridlock. Watch out for southern right and blue whales making their way along Western Australia’s coast between May and December too. Whale-watching tours run out of Perth and Fremantle or, if you’re DIY-ing, gaze out to sea at midday when the sun is directly overhead for your best chance of spotting these magnificent creatures. West Coast Drive, running alongside the sparkling Indian Ocean, offers another opportunity to get closer to nature just a short distance from the city.

Embrace the great outdoors

Take advantage of the cooler weather and swap four wheels for two feet to explore Perth’s scenic trails. The 2.5km Law Walk sees winter ramblers wander through the city’s stunning Kings Park, while the 9km Dell to South Ledge trail, a slightly longer walk in the Perth Hills, takes in the rugged beauty of Beelu National Park. En route back, call in at Core Cider House for a seasonal pressed cider.

With so many events taking place in WA, deciding the best time to visit to catch them can seem a little overwhelming. Luckily, we’ve got hundreds of events to discover at westernaustralia.com/events and some easy filters to help you match your trip to the best events in our state.

Other Perth experiences we know you'lllove

In recent years luxury hotel operators such as COMO have made Perth their first Australian landfall, with COMO The Treasury (pictured above), at the heritage State Buildings. Perth is now firmly established on the luxury travel map, and many other brands are following suit providing diversity and value from city to coast.

Heading to Perth? Once you hear about the seaplane daytrips to Margaret River, the heli-skydiving over Rottnest Island and the open-sea swimming with wild dolphins, you might be tempted to miss the flight home.